Any time you find people on a crusade to downplay a piece of literature, you usually find a nice example of solipsism, intolerance and double standards. A sterling example can be found in the recent case of one Mrs. Schofield. Schofield, an external examiner at Lutterworth College, Leicestshire, saw fit to request the removal of a Carol Ann Duffy poem, Education for Leisure, from the curriculum for the GCSE. She believes the poem glorifies knife violence.

Oddly, the poem is taught specifically as an anti-violence poem (read the GCSE prep notes for teachers):

It can be seen as a cautionary tale about what happens to those who have nothing to do, and tire of waiting for other people to give them a living or some kind of recognition, that they have not earned.

In a wonderful retort, Carol Ann Duffy penned a poem in response. It’s called Mrs. Schofield’s GCSE and humorously explores famous knife scenes from Shakespeare.

• Literature: The image of Franz Kafka as a saint and a recluse is turning out not to be true. A new book explores Kafka’s porn collection and how it may change academic readings.
  

  Why You Should Read Kafka Before You Waste Your Life

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